Podcast(s) Archive
Random Encounter 202 – Getting Ready to Winter
On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg and Quinton discuss their adventures in the latest Pokémon Sword and Shield DLC, The Crown Tundra, which has proven to be a solid addition to the game. Jono had a storied experience with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but has completed this gem that you oughta play!… Read More »
Retro Encounter 264 – Final Fantasy X-2 Part II
Final Fantasy X-2. Great job system, great battle system, well-made pop songs. But how about the rest of the game? Our panel has some criticisms about the side quests, main story, and overall presentation of FFX-2, but they try to balance the bad with some good in the newest Retro Encounter.… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 157 – DQ XI Re-Release – Is it Worth it? + 35th Anniversary DQ Speculation
For many, Dragon Quest XI is one of the most beloved JRPGs of the PS4/Switch generation. With that said, early adopters of DQXI on the PS4 paid full price for the game, only to be tempted with a greatly expanded version of the game on the Nintendo Switch 18-months later… at a lower resolution and an… Read More »
Retro Encounter 263 – Crowdfunding Encounter
Crowdfunding services like Kickstarter, IndieGogo, and Fig have disrupted traditional game production and become an inescapable part of how video game consumers and developers interact, but the crowdfunding revolution within video games is less than ten years old. Today’s Retro Encounter is a discus… Read More »
Rhythm Encounter 57 – Final Fantasy IX-20
Final Fantasy IX saw the light of day in North America almost exactly twenty years ago today. It was on November 13, 2000 that the crystals returned, and Final Fantasy took a reprieve from the realism and sci-fi or steampunk overtones to harken back to castles, kingdoms, and big heads. Since FFIX ha… Read More »
Random Encounter 201 – They Don’t All Have an Impact
On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg continues his clicking in Torchlight III but seems ready to wrap it up. He has also been trudging through The Crown Tundra with his pokémon a bit, but has much more to do there. Caitlin was eagerly awaiting Trails of Cold Steel IV, but has been left wanting… Read More »
Retro Encounter 262 – Final Fantasy X-2 Part I
The sequel to the 2nd game ever covered by Retro Encounter finally gets its own journal episodes over five years later! We revisit the world of Spira and its new dueling factions, critique Dressphere fashion choices, and discuss Yuna’s career change in our latest episode. Which Fina… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 156 – Bravely Default II Delayed – Discussion
The discussion this week focuses on the recent announcement that Bravely Default II has been delayed until February 26th, 2021, as well as an overview of the various improvements made to the game, based upon the recent survey taken from the demo. Listen, subscribe, and chat where you please, and lea… Read More »
Retro Encounter 261 – Finding Paradise
Kan Gao and Freebird Games deliver the fourth game in the SIgmund Corp. Saga later this year, so in anticipation of Impostor Factory Retro Encounter is playing Finding Paradise, a game about memories, regrets, and making sure toilet paper rolls are on the hanger and not at the edge of the bathroom s… Read More »
Rhythm Encounter 56 – OoooOOoooOooO!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We’re getting in the spirit this spooky season with a collection of chilling tracks to help make the season memorable. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society RPGFan listeners, we have spooky soundscapes from Final Fantasy haunted libraries to the deeply unsettling worlds… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 155 – Classic Fire Emblem on Switch & Monster Hunter Rise Trailer
The discussion this week focuses on Nintendo’s latest exciting RPG announcement, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. Afterwards, the conversation shifts towards the new Monster Hunter film coming out at the end of the year, and whether this movie will be authentic to the Monster Hunte… Read More »
Retro Encounter 260 – RPG Vampires: Fangs for the Memories
Vampires are a staple of horror, and to celebrate Halloween Retro Encounter is celebrating the vampires of RPGs. From the psychic vampires of Mass Effect to the protagonist of a game literally called Vampyr, we hold a supernatural discussion to run a small gamut of (actual) bloodsuckers who don’t su… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 154 – 5 RPGs that NEED to be on a Dreamcast Mini & Great Affordable 3DS/DS RPGs
Recent news suggests the Dreamcast is SEGA’s next foray into the nostalgia bubble of mini console re-releases. With this in mind, it seems appropriate to discuss a handful of great Dreamcast RPGs, and also whether their appearance on the Dreamcast Mini is likely. Afterwards, the conversation transit… Read More »
Random Encounter 200 – Don’t You, Forget About Me
On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re on video (you can see it below)! That’s right, you can see the faces (if you want) of some of your RPGFan podcast hosts on this special 200th episode! We take a look back at the episode that started it all with Rob Steinman and the crew, while still talking… Read More »
Rhythm Encounter 55 – Relaxing Rhythm Part 2
We’re just here to vibe…again. There’s so much good relaxing music within our favorite genre that we needed two episodes to cover it. We delve into a nice assortment here (from 16-bit to recent releases) and discuss how these relaxing picks fit into their in-game settings, whether it’s a nice unde… Read More »
Retro Encounter 259 – Phantasy Star IV Part II
Phantasy Star IV is the culmination of a four-game saga that puts the 2,000-year struggle of the Algol System into a context, and in today’s Retro Encounter episode we dive deep into its final battle. We spent plenty of time in Phantasy Star IV’s battles and dungeons, but we forget to go into the ad… Read More »
Rhythm Encounter 54 – Relaxing Rhythm Part 1
Chill out with Rhythm Encounter! This is not the first time we’ve presented a chillout or relaxing topic—though the last time was seven years ago (!) in Episode 6: Summer Chill—but if there’s one thing we could all use right about now is some damn fine coffee… er, relaxation, but coffee may also m… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 153 – Genshin Impact Impressions – Is it a Breath of the Wild Clone?
This week the panel gives their hands-on impressions with Genshin Impact, a new open-world action-RPG game developed by miHoYo. This includes discussion on the similarities the game shares with Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and whether it’s merely a creative inspiration, or a pixel shy of appropriation… Read More »
Retro Encounter 258 – Phantasy Star IV Part I
Retro Encounter visits a faraway galaxy in a game from a long time ago (don’t @ me Disney) in Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, one of the most acclaimed RPGs for the Sega Genesis, or Mega Drive if you’re a peein’. It took us 5 years and 257 episodes to talk about Sega RPGs a second time,… Read More »
Random Encounter 199 – We’re the Renegades of… RPGs…?
On this episode of Random Encounter, well, a few things happened! Greg’s pretty excited about his time with the recently released Star Renegades, so here’s hoping you are too! Quinton’s a newcomer to Random and brings in his experience with P5 Royal, and we all share thoughts on problemati… Read More »
Retro Encounter 257 – The Best Year For RPGs
Presently (October 2020), RPGFan is publishing a feature on the best RPG of each year, from the dawn of Dragon Quest to the last full calendar year. As a podcast side dish to the website’s main course, Retro Encounter examined the RPG oeuvre of each voting year, settled on the 10 best, and then star… Read More »
Rhythm Encounter 53 – Feel the Burn!
RPG music can be very helpful in daily life, and our panel has met today to discuss workout music. Making those gains can certainly be a journey, so Mike Salbato, Mike Sollosi, Greg, and Hilary share some picks for different types of workouts. The episode has four sections: Warm Up, Arm Day/Core Wor… Read More »
Phoenix Edge Ep. 152 – Hogwarts Legacy RPG Announced & Bethesda Acquisition
This week the panel discusses the recent Hogwarts Legacy trailer, which promises an immersive open-world RPG experience set in the Harry Potter universe! Afterwards, the recent Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda is discussed and the odds of games like The Elder Scrolls VI and Fallout 5 being exclusiv… Read More »
Retro Encounter 256 – Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal!
Even in a video game, humans are too trusting. Many of the most storied plot twists in RPGs have a central character performing an unexpected turn or betraying the player’s trust. In today’s episode of Retro Encounter five panelists detail over a dozen great video game traitors, from A (Apollo Justi… Read More »
Random Encounter 198 – Storied Worlds and Worlds of Stories!
On this episode of Random Encounter, we talk about the news from both Microsoft and Sony, as well as our hype for FFXVI’s reveal! Greg chats about his adventures in Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remaster and if it’s worth getting into! Pete made a case to cover Crusader Kings… Read More »
